His Highness’ Secret Accountant

Theon and Ariel haven't said anything for 20 minutes.

Sitting across from each other on the soft sofa and sipping tea, the room was filled with silence.

"Excuse me…"

"Go ahead."

This time again, Ariel broke the silence first.

Theon answered Ariel, who hesitated, with indifference.

"About our engagement…"

"Ah, if it's something about the engagement, you don't have to worry. It's something that came between the two kingdoms without the opinion of the people directly involved, so don't worry about it. I will talk to them about that."

"What if I want to do it?"

"?"

"What if I… Want to be engaged to Your Highness."

"Hm… No matter what Princess Ariel feels, I don't want to."

Theon answered Ariel, smiling with ease. It was an extremely businesslike smile.

Theon hasn't even given a single glance towards Ariel since entering the audience room. She could tolerate his attitude.

However, his talk about breaking off the engagement was different. Ariel has long dreamed about marrying Theon.

Overcome with contempt, Ariel bit her lips.

"I heard that… The Stellen Kingdom has quite a few bonds issued to the Libert Kingdom."

Ariel lifted her teacup, took a sip, and spoke towards him, as if she had regained her composure.

Theon quickly noticed what her words meant.

He raised the teaspoon silently, stirred the teacup, and gave a sarcastic smile.

"So… What does the Princess want to say?"

"Move forward with the engagement."

"What if I refuse?"

"I will collect the bonds."

"Hmm… Interesting."

Ariel was clearly taken aback by Theon's answer. Looking at Ariel, Theon changed his posture and sat with his legs crossed, tapping his finger on the table.

"The Libert Kingdom's military strength was… Very weak since before."

"…"

"In comparison, the Stellen Kingdom trained many powerful sorcerers and knights. We are second to none in terms of defense capabilities."

Ariel tilted her head silently at Theon's unexpected words.

"The Libert Kingdom was like that… And at some point, it grew very powerful. How does the Princess think this was possible?"

"…"

Ariel's eyes shook incessantly at Theon's icy voice.

Without caring about her, Theon approached Ariel as if he were telling her a secret.

"If you make another ridiculous threat just one more time… I will withdraw my troops. Princess Ariel."

Ariel stiffened at Theon's icy-cold voice and clenched her trembling hands.

***

Whether Lily had cleaned up, Owen's residence, which she hadn't visited in a long time, was neat and tidy. Warm sunlight fell pleasantly over the tall glass ceiling.

Contrary to what she expected, the owner of the room was absent.

Ayla took slow steps and looked at the large landscape painting hanging on one side of the wall.

A large field, fruit trees, and a few houses here and there. The scenery in the painting was calm and peaceful.

"Where is this place…"

"Hanan. It's a beautiful place."

Having been immersed in the scenery in the painting, Ayla's heart naturally jumped out of her mouth.

Ayla carefully turned her head around. Not knowing when he had come in, Owen was standing behind her, looking at the painting with a serious expression. With aching eyes.

It was their reunion after a week, but silence remained between the two for a while.

If it were a usual day, it would be the time where she would have gotten angry at Owen's mischief several times already; but he only looked at Ayla and didn't say much.

Ayla looked at Owen curiously.

On the other hand, Owen's pretty olive-colored eyes shook incessantly, avoiding Ayla's gaze.

‘What is wrong with him again.'

Ayla glanced at Owen in the awkward mood. Owen, who was hesitating, opened his mouth after a while.

"I… Ayla. Miss Claire…"

"You seemed to get along well, you must have gotten quite closer to each other."

At Owen's voice, speaking vaguely, Ayla crossed her arms and said bluntly.

Although she was secretly surprised at the unintentional sarcastic remarks about Owen, she nonchalantly maintained her posture. Whatever the reason, it is true that she didn't like Claire.

"No, that… It was one-sided on Lady Claire's part; it wasn't my will at all. I am innocent, Ayla!!"

"I didn't say anything."

"It's the truth!!"

Listening to the conversation between the maids, she knew their relationship stemmed from Claire's unilateral behavior.